Medical Scholarships for College

Medical Scholarships, Costs & ROI Snapshot

This snapshot pulls from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and planning tools to show how many scholarships are available for Medical majors, the total dollars listed, and how early-career pay compares to typical college costs.

Scholarships in Our Database

We currently list 37 active scholarships tied to Medical programs, sourced from professional groups, nonprofits, and private sponsors. New awards are added regularly.

Total Scholarship Dollars Listed

The scholarships currently listed total approximately $297,180 in advertised award value. Many programs offer renewable or variable awards, so available funding may be higher over time.

Early-Career Pay & ROI

Early-career median pay for Medical graduates is about $230,000 per year. We estimate a typical 4-year net college cost around $108,584.

That means first-year earnings are roughly 212% of total college cost, with an estimated payback period of 0.5 years (before taxes and living expenses).

Medical Scholarships to Apply for Now (Scholarship FastFind™)

The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Medical scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.

1

The Melanie Foundation Mental Health Scholarship

The Melanie Foundation Mental Health Scholarship was established to honor the life and legacy of Melanie Merola O’Donnell, whose career and personal mission were devoted to alleviating suffering caused by mental illness. Created by her family and friends, the foundation

Award: $2,500 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Med (58 min)
2

American Indian Medical Scholarship

The American Indian Medical Scholarship (AIMS) is a long-standing national scholarship program created to support students of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian descent who are pursuing careers in healthcare, nursing, or health education. Officially adopted as a national

Award: $1,500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (33 min)
3

Indian Health Service Scholarship Program

The Indian Health Service (IHS) Scholarship Program is a federally administered program created to support American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing careers in healthcare. The program’s primary mission is to educate, train, and retain qualified health professionals who are

Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
4

Alice W. Rooke Medical Scholarship

The Alice W. Rooke Medical Scholarship is offered by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to support students pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree at an approved, accredited medical school. This scholarship is designed to recognize academic

Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
5

Leslie Andree Hanna Medical Scholarship

The Leslie Andree Hanna Medical Scholarship is awarded by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to support deserving female students pursuing a medical degree in the United States. This scholarship is intended to recognize academic excellence and

Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
6

Irene and Daisy MacGregor Memorial Scholarship

The Irene and Daisy MacGregor Memorial Scholarship is offered by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to support students of strong academic ability and character who are pursuing advanced education in the medical field. This scholarship honors

Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
7

Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship

The Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship is offered through the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to support students pursuing a career as a medical doctor. This scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi by

Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (28 min)
8

A. D. and Peggy Hewlett and Colonel David R. Inman Medical Scholarship

The A. D. and Peggy Hewlett and Colonel David R. Inman Medical Scholarship is a targeted financial award managed by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to support students pursuing careers in medicine and related health care fields. This scholarship

Award: Varies Deadline: April Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)
9

Foot Levelers Scholarship

The Foot Levelers Scholarship for Sports Medicine Students is designed to support dedicated students who are pursuing careers in sports medicine, physical therapy, chiropractic care, athletic training, or other related health science fields. This scholarship recognizes individuals who demonstrate academic

Award: $2,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (86 min)
10

American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship (Nutrition Research)

The AHA Predoctoral Fellowship supports promising students enrolled in doctoral or equivalent clinical health-professional degree programs (e.g., PhD, DrPH, MD/PhD, DrPH in public health) who are committed to research in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, brain health—or nutrition and public health topics related

Award: $27,144 Deadline: September Est. Application Time: Med (58 min)
11

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Fleming Scholars Program

The Sir Alexander Fleming Scholars Program at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is a paid summer research experience designed to engage students in hands-on biomedical research. Participants work full-time in research laboratories under the guidance of OMRF scientists, attend

Award: $5,000 Deadline: February Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)
12

Optometry Scholarship Program (Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority)

The Optometry Scholarship Program administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority is a state-supported professional scholarship designed to address Kentucky’s ongoing need for licensed optometrists. By providing substantial financial assistance to students pursuing a Doctor of Optometry degree, the

Award: $15,000 Deadline: December Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)
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Expert Answers to the Most Asked Medical Scholarship Questions

Medical School Scholarships and Financial Aid Opportunities

Medical school is one of the most expensive educational paths in the United States, often costing well over $200,000 from start to finish. To help reduce this financial burden, a wide range of medical school scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs are available through universities, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private foundations. These awards support students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, financial need, or a commitment to advancing healthcare.

Below you’ll find a comprehensive guide to the most impactful medical school scholarships, including full-ride awards, diversity scholarships, need-based aid, and programs designed for future researchers, primary care physicians, military doctors, and students from underrepresented communities.

Types of Medical School Scholarships

Medical students can pursue several categories of financial aid. Understanding the differences helps you target the right opportunities:

  • Merit-Based Scholarships: Awarded for academic excellence, leadership, research achievements, or community involvement.
  • Need-Based Scholarships: Provided to students with demonstrated financial need, often determined by institutional forms or FAFSA data.
  • Diversity Scholarships: Designed for underrepresented students in medicine, including Black, Hispanic, Native American, and LGBTQ+ candidates.
  • Service-Based Scholarships: Require recipients to serve in a specific community, field, or government branch after graduation (e.g., military or primary care).
  • Specialty-Based Scholarships: Offered to students pursuing oncology, surgery, family medicine, psychiatry, or public health.

What Are the Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarships?

The Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarships honor medical students who demonstrate outstanding leadership in advancing equity in healthcare.

Each year, five students receive $5,000 in recognition of their commitment to eliminating health disparities and promoting social justice in medicine. These students are typically entering their third year of medical school and have already shown a significant impact in community health initiatives, research, or advocacy work.

What Are National Medical Fellowships?

National Medical Fellowships (NMF) is one of the nation’s leading organizations supporting underrepresented minority students in medicine. Programs include:

  • NMF Primary Care Leadership Program: Funding for students pursuing primary care careers.
  • NMF Need-Based Scholarships: Assistance for medical students facing financial hardship.
  • Specialty-Specific Awards: Scholarships for psychiatry, oncology, and community health.

NMF combines financial assistance with mentorship, clinical experience, and leadership development, helping students build long-term success in medical careers.

Are There Full-Ride Medical School Scholarships?

Yes. Multiple programs offer full-ride scholarships, covering tuition, fees, and sometimes housing and monthly stipends. Examples include:

  • Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP): Covers full tuition plus a monthly living stipend in exchange for military service.
  • National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship: Provides full tuition and living expenses for students committing to serve in underserved communities after graduation.
  • NYU Grossman School of Medicine Full-Tuition Scholarship: Offers full tuition to all MD students, regardless of financial need.

These programs dramatically reduce debt while helping address national physician shortages.

Medical School Scholarships for Minorities

Numerous programs support underrepresented students in medicine:

  • NMF Minority Scholars Program: Financial support plus mentorship for future physicians.
  • AMA Foundation Physicians of Tomorrow Awards: $10,000 awards for outstanding minority medical students.
  • Tylenol Future Care Scholarship: Up to $10,000 for students pursuing healthcare careers.
  • United Health Foundation Diversity in Health Care Scholarship: Supports students committed to serving diverse populations.

Medical Scholarships for High School Students

Students interested in medicine can begin applying for scholarships long before entering college:

  • National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine Scholarships: Supports high school students exploring medical careers.
  • HOSA-Future Health Professionals Scholarships: For students active in health science education programs.
  • Local Hospital and Healthcare Foundation Awards: Many regional health systems sponsor pre-med scholarships.

Scholarships for First-Year Medical Students

First-year medical students often qualify for specialized scholarships such as:

  • BoardVitals Medical School Scholarship: $2,500 for academic excellence and commitment to healthcare.
  • Institutional Merit Scholarships: Many medical schools offer automatic awards based on GPA, MCAT scores, or interview performance.
  • Medical School Dean’s Scholarships: Highly competitive awards for incoming students with exceptional academic records.

Medical School Scholarships for Women

Women pursuing medicine can apply for awards that promote gender diversity in healthcare, including:

  • American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) Scholarships: Financial aid plus mentorship and leadership training.
  • Lynn Adamson Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to women demonstrating leadership and dedication to improving healthcare equity.
  • AAUW Graduate Fellowships: For women pursuing advanced degrees in medicine and biomedical sciences.

Medical School Scholarships for Black Students

Numerous programs specifically support Black medical students:

  • Dr. James Curtis Scholarship: Focuses on academic achievement and community service.
  • NMF Black Scholars Awards: Dedicated to improving representation in medicine.
  • Charles R. Drew Medical Student Scholarship: Honors students attending historically Black medical institutions.

Fully Funded Medical Scholarships for International Students

International students may pursue prestigious full-funding opportunities such as:

  • Wellcome Trust Doctoral Studentships: Support for students focused on medical and health research.
  • Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship: Full tuition and living stipends for students from developing countries.
  • Harvard Medical School Need-Based Aid: Robust financial aid packages for international MD students.

What Is the Tylenol Future Care Scholarship?

This popular scholarship awards $5,000–$10,000 to medical and healthcare students who demonstrate:

  • Strong academic performance
  • Commitment to patient care
  • Leadership in healthcare or community service

It is open to medical, pharmacy, nursing, and allied health students.

What Is the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)?

The American Medical Women’s Association is a national organization focused on advancing gender equity in medicine. AMWA offers:

  • Medical school scholarships
  • Mentorship programs
  • Leadership development opportunities
  • Networking events and advocacy training

Which Scholarship Is Best for Medical Students?

The “best” scholarship depends on your goals, but notable top-tier programs include:

  • HPSP Scholarship for students seeking full funding with military service.
  • NHSC Scholarship for those dedicated to primary care in underserved communities.
  • NYU Full-Tuition Program for students admitted to NYU’s MD program.
  • NMF Scholarships for underrepresented minority students.

Does FAFSA Offer Grants for Medical School?

FAFSA primarily provides access to:

  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
  • Graduate PLUS Loans

While graduate-level federal grants are rare, completing FAFSA is essential for:

  • Institutional need-based scholarships
  • Work-study eligibility
  • Private scholarship applications

What Is the BoardVitals Medical School Scholarship?

The BoardVitals Scholarship awards $2,500 to medical students who show academic promise and dedication to healthcare. Recipients often use the funds to cover books, tuition, or board exam prep materials.

What Is the Chinese American Medical Society (CAMS) Scholarship?

The CAMS Scholarship provides financial support to medical students of Chinese heritage based on:

  • Academic achievement
  • Community involvement
  • Leadership in healthcare

What Is the Kaiser Permanente Medical Student Scholarship?

This award provides up to $10,000 for underrepresented medical students committed to careers in primary care. Recipients demonstrate a strong commitment to:

  • Community health
  • Equitable access to care
  • Leadership in healthcare

What Are the Physicians of Tomorrow Awards?

Presented by the AMA Foundation, the Physicians of Tomorrow Awards provide $10,000 each year to medical students entering their final year. Selection is based on:

  • Academic excellence
  • Leadership potential
  • Compassion in patient care

These awards are highly competitive and carry national prestige.

Additional Medical School Scholarship Opportunities

To further expand your options, consider:

  • Health Professions Education Foundation Awards: For students practicing in shortage areas.
  • American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Scholarships: For future family medicine physicians.
  • AAMC Medical Student Financial Aid Programs: Guidance and awards for medical school affordability.

How to Improve Your Chances of Winning Medical School Scholarships

  • Build a strong CV: Showcase research, volunteer work, and leadership roles.
  • Write compelling essays: Highlight your mission, values, and commitment to healthcare.
  • Apply early: Many programs have limited funding.
  • Seek mentorship: Recommendations from professors or physicians can strengthen your applications.